Semiconductor memory device having ferroelectric capacitor and method of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first transistor formed on the semiconductor substrate and including a first gate electrode and first and second diffusion layers, a first contact connected to the first diffusion layer, a first conductive oxygen barrier film electrically connected to the first contact and covering at least the upper surface of the first contact, a first ferroelectric capacitor including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a first ferroelectric film interposed between the first and second electrodes, and a first connecting member connected to the first electrode and to the first conductive oxygen barrier film.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-102974, filed Apr. 7, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device having a ferroelectric capacitor and a method of manufacturing the same.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] In recent years, a nonvolatile memory using a ferroelectric capacitor (FeRAM), as disclosed in, for example, Jpn. Pat. KOKAI Publication No. 10-255483, attracts attentions as one of semiconductor memory devices.

[0006] The memory cell of the FeRAM is constructed, for example, as follows. Specifically, a gate electrode is formed on a semiconductor substrate and a pair of source/drain diffusion layers is formed in surface region of the semiconductor substrate in a manner to have the gate electrode sandwiched therebetween, thereby forming a transistor. An interlayer insulating layer is formed on the transistor, and a first contact connected to one of the source/drain diffusion layers of the transistor is formed in the interlayer insulating layer. A second contact is formed on the first contact, and a ferroelectric capacitor including a lower electrode, a ferroelectric film and an upper electrode is connected to the second contact.

[0007] In the conventional structure described above, the ferroelectric capacitor is formed first, followed by forming the second contact connected to the first contact. Therefore, it is known to the art that, if an opening for the second contact is formed on the first contact, damage is done to the ferroelectric capacitor. In order to overcome the damage done to the ferroelectric capacitor, it is necessary to carry out a heat treatment under a high temperature after formation of the opening for the second contact.

[0008] However, the first contact is formed of a material that is easily oxidized such as W (tungsten). Therefore, if an oxygen annealing is carried out under a high temperature in order to overcome the damage done to the ferroelectric capacitor, the first contact is oxidized, with the result that it was impossible to carry out an oxygen annealing under a high temperature. Such being the situation, it was impossible to overcome completely the damage done to the ferroelectric capacitor, leading to reduction of the yield.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor memory device comprising a semiconductor substrate; a first transistor formed on the semiconductor substrate and including a first gate electrode and first and second diffusion layers; a first contact connected to the first diffusion layer; a first conductive oxygen barrier film electrically connected to the first contact and covering at least the upper surface of the first contact; a first ferroelectric capacitor including a first electrode, a second electrode and a first ferroelectric film interposed between the first and second electrodes; and a first connecting member connected to the first electrode and to the first conductive oxygen barrier film.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device, comprising forming on a semiconductor substrate a first transistor including a first gate electrode and first and second diffusion layers; forming a first contact connected to the first diffusion layer; forming on the first contact a first conductive oxygen barrier film covering at least the upper surface of the first contact; forming above the first conductive oxygen barrier film a first ferroelectric capacitor including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a first ferroelectric film interposed between the first and second electrodes; and forming a first connecting member connected to the first electrode and to the first conductive oxygen barrier film.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0011]FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the semiconductor memory device along the line II-II shown in FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the semiconductor memory device along the line III-III shown in FIG. 1;

[0014]FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 are cross sectional views collectively showing a manufacturing process of the semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the semiconductor memory device along the line XIII-XIII shown in FIG. 12;

[0017]FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the semiconductor memory device along the line XIV-XIV shown in FIG. 12;

[0018]FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view showing the construction of another semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view showing the construction of another semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of the semiconductor memory device along the line XVIII-XVIII shown in FIG. 17;

[0022]FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view of the semiconductor memory device along the line XIX-XIX shown in FIG. 17;

[0023]FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view showing the construction of another semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0024]FIGS. 21, 22 and 23 are cross sectional views collectively showing a manufacturing process of a semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 24 is a plan view showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 25 is a cross sectional view of the semiconductor memory device along the line XXV-XXV shown in FIG. 24;

[0027]FIG. 26 is a cross sectional view of the semiconductor memory device along the line XXVI-XXVI shown in FIG. 24;

[0028]FIGS. 27, 28 and 29 are cross sectional views collectively showing a manufacturing process of the semiconductor memory device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 30 is a plan view showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0030]FIG. 31 is a cross sectional view of the semiconductor memory device along the line XXXI-XXXI shown in FIG. 30;

[0031]FIGS. 32, 33 and 34 are cross sectional views collectively showing a manufacturing process of the semiconductor memory device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 35 is a plan view showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

[0033]FIG. 36 is a cross sectional view of the semiconductor memory device along the line XXXVI-XXXVI shown in FIG. 35;

[0034]FIGS. 37, 38 and 39 are cross sectional views collectively showing a manufacturing process of the semiconductor memory device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

[0035]FIG. 40 is a plan view showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

[0036]FIG. 41 is a cross sectional view of the semiconductor memory device along the line XLI-XLI shown in FIG. 40;

[0037]FIGS. 42, 43 and 44 are cross sectional views collectively showing a manufacturing process of the semiconductor memory device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention;

[0038]FIG. 45 is a plan view showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

[0039]FIG. 46 is a cross sectional view of the semiconductor memory device along the line XLVI-XLVI shown in FIG. 45;

[0040]FIG. 47 is a plan view showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to an ninth embodiment of the present invention;

[0041]FIG. 48 is a cross sectional view of the semiconductor memory device along the line XLVIII-XLVIII shown in FIG. 47;

[0042]FIG. 49 is a plan view showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to an tenth embodiment of the present invention;

[0043]FIG. 50 is a cross sectional view of the semiconductor memory device along the line L-L shown in FIG. 49;

[0044]FIG. 51 is a plan view showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention;

[0045]FIG. 52 is a cross sectional view of the semiconductor memory device along the line LII-LII shown in FIG. 51;

[0046]FIGS. 53, 54 and 55 are cross sectional views collectively showing a manufacturing process of the semiconductor memory device according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention;

[0047]FIG. 56 is a plan view showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention;

[0048]FIG. 57 is a cross sectional view of the semiconductor memory device along the line LVII-LVII shown in FIG. 56;

[0049]FIG. 58 is a plan view showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention;

[0050]FIG. 59 is a cross sectional view of the semiconductor memory device along the line LIX-LIX shown in FIG. 58;

[0051]FIG. 60 is a plan view showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention;

[0052]FIG. 61 is a cross sectional view of the semiconductor memory device along the line LXI-LXI shown in FIG. 60;

[0053]FIG. 62 is a plan view showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention;

[0054]FIG. 63 is a cross sectional view of the semiconductor memory device along the line LXII-LXII shown in FIG. 62;

[0055]FIG. 64 is a plan view showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention;

[0056]FIG. 65 is a cross sectional view of the semiconductor memory device along the line LXV-LXV shown in FIG. 64;

[0057]FIG. 66 is a plan view showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention;

[0058]FIG. 67 is a cross sectional view of the semiconductor memory device along the line LXVII-LXVII shown in FIG. 66;

[0059]FIGS. 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, and 75 are cross sectional views collectively showing a manufacturing process of semiconductor memory device according to the seventeenth embodiment of the present invention; and

[0060]FIG. 76 is a cross sectional view showing the construction of another semiconductor memory device according to the seventeenth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0061] Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Through the accompanying drawings, the common portions of the semiconductor memory device are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0062] Incidentally, each of the embodiments described in the following is directed to the construction of a TC parallel unit series connection type ferroelectric memory device. However, the present invention is not limited to the construction of the particular ferroelectric memory device, and it is possible to apply the technical idea of the present invention to the constructions of the various ferroelectric memory devices. Incidentally, the TC parallel unit series connection type ferroelectric memory device referred to above is constructed such that ends of a capacitor (C) are connected between the source and drain regions of a cell transistor (T) so as to form a cell unit, and a plurality of cell units thus formed are connected in series.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

[0063] A first embodiment of the present invention is directed to the construction that a conductive oxygen barrier film is formed on a contact connected to a transistor.

[0064] FIGS. 1 to 3 are a plan view and cross sectional views collectively showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The construction of the semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, source/drain diffusion layers 14 are formed in a silicon substrate 11, and gate electrodes 13 a, 13 b are formed on the silicon substrate 11, thereby forming transistors 15 a, 15 b. A contact 18 a is connected to one of the source/drain diffusion layers 14 of the transistor 15 b, and another contact 18 b is connected to the other of the source/drain diffusion layers 14 of the transistor 15 b. Each of these contacts 18 a, 18 b is formed of a polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) doped with an impurity or W (tungsten).

[0066] Conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b are formed on the contacts 18 a, 18 b, respectively. These contacts 18 a, 18 b are electrically connected to these conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b. It is possible for the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b to cover at least partially the upper surfaces of the contacts 18 a, 18 b, respectively. However, it is desirable for the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b to have areas larger than the areas of the upper surfaces of the contacts 18 a, 18 b, respectively. Each of the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b is formed of a material containing one of, for example, Ir, IrO₂, Ru, and RuO₂. Also, it is possible for each of the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b to be of a single layer structure or a laminate structure.

[0067] Ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b are formed above the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 a. Each of these ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b comprises a lower electrode 21, an upper electrode 23 and a ferroelectric film 22 interposed between the lower electrode 21 and the upper electrode 23. These two ferroelectric capacitors 24 a and 24 b share the lower electrode 21. In other words, the lower electrode 21 is not separated for each of the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a and 24 b.

[0068] The upper electrode 24 a of the ferroelectric capacitor 24 a is connected to a metal wiring 28 a via a contact 27 a. The lower electrode 21 shared by the two ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b is connected to a metal wiring 28 b via a contact 27 b, and the metal wiring 28 b is connected to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 a via a contact 27 f. The upper electrode 23 of the ferroelectric capacitor 24 b is connected to a metal wiring 28 c via a contact 27 c, and the metal wiring 28 c is connected to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 b via a contact 27 d. It should be noted that each of the contacts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, 27 d and each of the metal wirings 28 a, 28 b, 28 c is formed of a material containing one of, for example, W, Al, Cu and Ti.

[0069] FIGS. 4 to 11 are cross sectional views collectively showing as an example a manufacturing process of the semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The manufacturing method of the semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 11. The example of the manufacturing process shown in these drawings is directed to the case where a ferroelectric capacitor circuit portion in which the ferroelectric capacitors are present and a peripheral circuit portion for controlling the ferroelectric capacitor circuit portion are formed simultaneously.

[0070] In the first step, an STI (Shallow Trench Isolation) region 12 for performing the element isolation is formed within a silicon substrate 11, as shown in FIG. 4. Then, gate electrodes 13 a, 13 b, 13 c, and 13 c are formed on the silicon substrate 11, and several pairs of source/drain diffusion layers 14 are formed such that each pair of source/drain diffusion layers 14 are positioned to have each of the gate electrodes 13 a, 13 b, 13 c and 13 d sandwiched there-between. As a result, formed are transistors 15, 15 b included in the ferroelectric capacitor circuit portion and transistors 15 c, 15 d included in the peripheral circuit portion.

[0071] In the next step, an interlayer insulating film 16 is deposited to cover the silicon substrate 11 and the transistors 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, 15 d formed in the silicon substrate 11, followed by planarizing the upper surface of the interlayer insulating film 16 as shown in FIG. 5. The material of the interlayer insulating film 16 includes, for example, BPSG (Boron Phosphorus Silicate Glass) and P-TEOS (Plasma-Tetra Ethoxy Silane).

[0072] Then, the interlayer insulating film 16 is selectively removed so as to form contact holes 17 a, 17 b, 17 c, 17 d, as shown in FIG. 6, followed by filling these contact holes 17 a, 17 b, 17 c, 17 d with a metallic material and subsequently planarizing the metallic material so as to form contacts 18 a, 18 b, 18 c and 18 d. The material of the contacts 18 a, 18 b, 18 c and 18 d includes, for example, W and polysilicon doped with an impurity. The contacts 18 a and 18 b included in the ferroelectric capacitor circuit portion are connected to the source/drain diffusion layers 14, respectively, and the contacts 18 c and 18 d included in the peripheral circuit portion are connected to the gate electrodes 13 c and 14 d, respectively.

[0073] In the next step, conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 c are deposited on the interlayer insulating film 16 and on the contacts 18 a, 18 b, 18 c, 18 d, followed by patterning these conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 c, as shown in FIG. 7. Each of the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 c is formed of a material containing one of Ir, IrO₂, Ru and RuO₂. The conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a and 19 b included in the ferroelectric capacitor circuit portion are connected to the contacts 18 a and 18 b, respectively. On the other hand, the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 c in the peripheral circuit portion is connected to each of the contacts 18 c and 19 d and performs the function of a wiring.

[0074] In the next step, an interlayer insulating film 20 is formed to cover the interlayer insulating film 16 and the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 c, followed by planarizing the interlayer insulating film 20, as shown in FIG. 8. The material of the interlayer insulating film 20 includes, for example, BPSG and P-TEOS.

[0075] After formation of the interlayer insulating film 20, a lower electrode 21, a ferroelectric film 22 and an upper electrode 23 are deposited successively above each of the contacts 15 a and 15 b. The lower electrode 21 is formed of a material containing one of, for example, Pt, Ir, IrO₂, SRO, Ru and RuO₂. The ferroelectric film 22 is formed of a material containing one of, for example, PZT and SBT. Further, the upper electrode 23 is formed of a material containing one of, for example, Pt, Ir, IrO₂, SRO, Ru and RuO₂. Then, the lower electrode 21 is patterned, followed by simultaneously patterning the ferroelectric film 22 and the upper electrode 23. As a result, formed are ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b.

[0076] In the next step, an interlayer insulating film 25 is formed to cover the interlayer insulating film 20 and the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, as shown in FIG. 9. The material of the interlayer insulating film 25 includes, for example, P-TEOS, O₃-TEOS, SOG, Al₂O₃, SiN, and SiON. Then, the interlayer insulating films 20, 25 are selectively removed so as to form contact holes 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d and 26 e, followed by performing a high temperature oxygen annealing at, for example, 650° C. for one hour under an oxygen gas atmosphere.

[0077] In the next step, the contact holes 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d, and 26 e are filled with a metallic material layer 27, as shown in FIG. 10. Then, the metal material layer 27 is planarized until the upper surface of the interlayer insulating film 25 is exposed to the outside, thereby forming contacts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, 27 d and 27 e, as shown in FIG. 11. Each of these contacts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, 27 d and 27 e is formed of a material containing one of, for example, W, Al and TiN.

[0078] It should be noted that the contact 27 a is connected to the upper electrode 23 of the ferroelectric capacitor 24 a. The contact 27 b is connected to the lower electrode 21 for each of the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b. The contact 27 c is connected to the upper electrode 23 of the ferroelectric capacitor 24 b. The contact 27 d is connected to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 b. Further, the contact 27 e is connected to the wiring for the peripheral circuit (conductive oxygen barrier film 19 c).

[0079] Further, a wiring material layer is formed to cover the contacts 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, 27 d, 27 e and the interlayer insulating film 25, followed by patterning the wiring material layer, thereby forming wirings 28 a, 28 b, 28 c and 28 d. Each of wirings 28 a, 28 b, 28 c and 28 d is formed of a material containing one of, for example, W, Al, and TiN. It should be noted that the wiring 28 a is connected to the contact 27 a. The wiring 28 b is connected to the contact 27 b. The wiring 28 c is connected to both the contacts 27 c and 27 d. Further, the wiring 27 d is connected to the contact 27 e. As described above, the capacitor circuit portion and the peripheral circuit portion are formed simultaneously.

[0080] According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the upper surfaces of the contacts 18 a, 18 b each formed of a material that is easily oxidized are protected by the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a and 19 b, respectively. As a result, even if a high temperature annealing treatment is carried out after formation of the contact holes 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d and 26 e, the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a and 19 b permit preventing the contacts 18 a and 18 b from being oxidized. It follows that it is possible to overcome the damage done to the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b in the process of forming the contact holes without causing the contacts 18 a, 18 b to be oxidized by the high temperature annealing treatment. Since it is possible to form the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, which are free from damages, it is possible to improve the yield.

[0081] It should also be noted that the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b are formed on the contacts 18 a, 18 b, respectively. Therefore, the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b can be used as an etching stopper in forming the contact holes for the contacts 27 d and 27 f, respectively. It follows that it is possible to prevent a misalignment between the contacts 18 a and 27 f and between the contact 18 b and the contact 27 d. Naturally, it is possible to overcome the difficulty that slits are generated by the misalignment in forming the contact holes so as to bring about a defective contact. It follows that the reduction of the yield can be suppressed.

[0082] It should also be noted that the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 c formed in the peripheral circuit portion can be utilized as a wiring layer. Therefore, a wiring can be formed in the peripheral circuit portion by utilizing the step of forming the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b in the capacitor circuit portion. It follows that the peripheral circuit portion can be miniaturized so as to make smaller the chip size by effectively utilizing the step of forming the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b for the capacitor circuit portion.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

[0083] A second embodiment of the present invention is directed to a modification of the first embodiment described above and covers an example in which an insulating oxygen barrier film is also formed in addition to the conductive oxygen barrier film.

[0084] FIGS. 12 to 14 are a plan view and cross sectional views collectively showing a semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The construction of the semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Incidentally, that portion alone of the second embodiment which differs from the first embodiment is described in the following.

[0085] As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, in the second embodiment, an insulating oxygen barrier film 30 is deposited to cover the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b. The insulating oxygen barrier film 30 is formed by depositing an insulating oxygen barrier material after formation of the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b. The insulating oxygen barrier film 30, which is formed of a material containing one of, for example, Al₂O₃, SiN, SiON, TiO₂, and PZT, may be of a single layer structure or a laminate structure.

[0086] According to the second embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effects similar to those obtained in the first embodiment. Further, additional effects can be obtained as follows.

[0087] Specifically, it is necessary for the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a and 19 b to be separated from each other so as to be connected to the contacts 18 a and 18 b, respectively, thereby preventing the short circuiting between the transistors 13 a and 13 b. Therefore, in carrying out a high temperature annealing treatment, the contacts 18 a, 18 b are likely to be oxidized from the edge portions of the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, respectively. Such being the situation, the insulating oxygen barrier film 30 is formed in the second embodiment of the present invention in a manner to cover the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b. As a result, the clearance between the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a and 19 b is filled with the insulating oxygen barrier layer 30 so as to protect sufficiently the contacts 18 a, 18 b, which are likely to be oxidized, from the high temperature annealing treatment.

[0088] Incidentally, it is possible to form the insulating oxygen barrier film 30 in an optional position as far as the contacts 18 a, 18 b are prevented from being oxidized from the edge portions of the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b. For example, it is possible to form the insulating oxygen barrier film 30 below the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, as shown in FIG. 15. It is also possible to form insulating oxygen barrier films 30 a, 30 b in contact with the lower surfaces and the upper surfaces of the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, respectively, as shown in FIG. 16. Incidentally, in order to obtain a more prominent effect of preventing the oxidation, it is more desirable to form the insulating oxygen barrier film 30 in contact with the upper surfaces of the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b than to form the insulating oxygen barrier film 30 in contact with the lower surfaces of the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b.

THIRD EMBODIMENT

[0089] A third embodiment of the present invention is directed to a modification of the second embodiment and covers an example in which the conductive oxygen barrier film is of a damascene structure.

[0090] FIGS. 17 to 19 are a plan view and cross sectional views collectively directed to a semiconductor memory device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The construction of the semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Incidentally, that portion alone of the third embodiment which differs from the second embodiment will be described in the following.

[0091] As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, the third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that, in the third embodiment, the insulating oxygen barrier film 30 has a flat surface free from an irregularity. It should be noted that, since the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b are buried in an insulating film, the upper surfaces of the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b are rendered flush with the upper surface of the surrounding insulating film, with the result that the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b are allowed to have a so-called “damascene structure”. It follows that the insulating oxygen barrier film 30 is rendered to have a flat surface, as pointed out above.

[0092] Incidentally, it is possible to form insulating oxygen barrier films 30 a, 30 b in contact with the lower surfaces and the upper surfaces of the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, respectively, as shown in FIG. 20.

[0093] FIGS. 21 to 23 are cross sectional views collectively showing a manufacturing process of the semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. A manufacturing method of the semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 23. Incidentally, the following description covers mainly the steps differing from those in the first embodiment described previously.

[0094] In the first step, the contacts 18 a, 18 b, 18 c, 18 d are formed in the interlayer insulating film 16 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 referred to previously in conjunction with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] In the next step, an interlayer insulating film 20 a is formed to cover the interlayer insulating film 16 and the contacts 18 a, 18 b, 18 c, and 18 d as shown in FIG. 21, followed by selectively removing the interlayer insulating film 20 a so as to trenches 32 a, 32 b, 32 c serving to expose the upper surfaces of the contacts 18 a, 18 b, 18 c to the outside.

[0096] In the next step, a material layer for forming the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 c is formed to fill the trenches 32 a, 32 b, 32 c and to cover the interlayer insulating film 20 a, as shown in FIG. 22. Then, the material layer noted above is planarized by, for example, a CMP (Chemical Mechanical Polishing) method until the upper surface of the interlayer insulating film 20 a is exposed to the outside. As a result, the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 c of the damascene structure are formed in the trenches 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, respectively.

[0097] Further, an insulating oxygen barrier film 30 is formed to cover the interlayer insulating film 20 a and the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 c, as shown in FIG. 23, followed by forming an interlayer insulating film 20 b on the insulating oxygen barrier film 30. The subsequent steps are equal to those for the first embodiment of the present invention described previously, and the manufacturing process leads to the step shown in FIG. 8.

[0098] According to the third embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effects similar to those obtained in the second embodiment. In addition, by forming the insulating oxygen barrier film 30 on the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, l9 c of the damascene structure, it is possible to suppress the reduction in the oxygen barrier effect caused by the step coverage of the insulating oxygen barrier film 30.

FOURTH EMBODIMENT

[0099] A fourth embodiment of the present invention is directed to a modification of the second embodiment and covers an example in which a side wall insulating film is formed on the side surface of the ferroelectric capacitor so as to permit the ferroelectric capacitor and the conductive oxygen barrier film to be connected to each other via a single contact.

[0100] FIGS. 24 to 26 are a plan view and cross sectional views collectively directed to a semiconductor memory device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The construction of the semiconductor memory device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Incidentally, that portion alone of the fourth embodiment which differs from the second embodiment will be described in the following.

[0101] As shown in FIGS. 24 to 26, the fourth embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that, in the fourth embodiment, side wall insulating films 33 a, 33 b are formed on the side surfaces of the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, respectively. It suffices for each of these side wall insulating films 33 a, 33 b to be formed of an insulating material having a processing selectivity ratio relative to an oxide film. For example, it is possible for each of the side wall insulating films 33 a, 33 b to be formed of a material containing one of, for example, Al₂O₃, SiN, SiON, PZT and TiO₂. One of the side wall insulating films 33 a and one of the side wall insulating films 33 b positioned adjacent to each other with the contact 35 b interposed therebetween serve to define the width of the opening of the contact hole for the contact 35 b and serve to insulate the contact 35 b from the upper electrode 23. On the other hand, the other side wall insulating film 33 b serves to insulate the lower electrode 21 from the contact 35 c.

[0102] The fourth embodiment also differs from the second embodiment in that the contacts 27 b and 27 f shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 in conjunction with the second embodiment is formed as a single contact 35 b in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and in that the contacts 27 c and 27 d shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 are formed as a single contact 35 c in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. What should be noted is that the contacts 35 a, 35 b and 35 c are self-aligned with the side wall insulating films 33 a, 33 b in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] FIGS. 27 to 29 are cross sectional views collectively showing a manufacturing process of the semiconductor memory device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The manufacturing method of the semiconductor memory device according to the fourth embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 27 to 29. Incidentally, those steps of the fourth embodiment which differ from the first embodiment described previously are mainly described in the following.

[0104] In the first step, ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b are formed on the interlayer insulating film 20 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 8 described previously in conjunction with the first embodiment.

[0105] In the next step, the side wall insulating films 33 a, 33 b are formed on the side surfaces of the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, respectively, as shown in FIG. 27. It is advisable for the side wall insulating films 33 a, 33 b to be formed of a material having a processing selectivity ratio relative to a interlayer insulating film 25 referred to herein later.

[0106] In the next step, the interlayer insulating film 25 is formed in a manner to cover the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, the side wall insulating films 33 a, 33 b, and the interlayer insulating film 20, as shown in FIG. 28. The material for forming the interlayer insulating film 25 includes, for example, P-TEOS, 0 ₃-TEOS, SOG, Al₂O₃, SiN and SiON. Then, the interlayer insulating film 25 is selectively removed so as to form contact holes 34 a, 34 b, 34 c, and 34 d, followed by carrying out a high temperature annealing treatment at, for example, 650° C. for one hour under an oxygen gas atmosphere.

[0107] In the next step, the contact holes 34 a, 34 b, 34 c and 34 d are filled with a metallic material, followed by planarizing the metallic material layer, as shown in FIG. 29. As a result, formed are contacts 35 a, 35 b, 35 c and 35 d.

[0108] It should be noted that the contact 35 a is connected to the upper electrode 23 of the ferroelectric capacitor 24 a. The contact 35 b is connected to the lower electrode 21 for the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b. The contact 35 c is connected to the upper electrode 23 of the ferroelectric capacitor 24 b and to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 b. Further, the contact 35 d is connected to the. conductive oxygen barrier film 19 c.

[0109] In the next step, a wiring material layer is formed to cover the contacts 35 a, 35 b, 35 c, 35 d and the interlayer insulating film 25, followed by patterning the wiring material layer so as to form wirings 28 a, 28 b, 28 c and 28 d. It should be noted that the wiring 28 a is connected to the contact 35 a. The wiring 28 b is connected to the contact 35 b. The wiring 28 c is connected to the contact 35 c. Further, the wiring 28 d is connected to the contact 35 d.

[0110] According to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effects similar to those obtained in the second embodiment described previously. Further, additional effects can be obtained as follows.

[0111] Specifically, in the second embodiment of the present invention, it is possible for the contacts 27 d, 27 f to fail to be aligned with the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, respectively, in the lithography for forming the contacts 27 d, 27 f. In the fourth embodiment, however, it is possible to form the contacts 35 a, 35 b, 35 c, 35 d in a self-aligned fashion by forming the side wall insulating films 33 a, 33 b on the side surfaces of the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b. As a result, it is possible to neglect the misalignment by the lithography in respect of the contact layer so as to make it possible to miniaturize the ferroelectric capacitor circuit portion.

[0112] It should also be noted that, in the construction according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 13, it is difficult to form simultaneously the contact holes for the contact 27 c connected to the ferroelectric capacitor 24 b and for the contact 27 d connected to the contact 18 b connected to the transistor 15 b. In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, however, the contact holes for the contacts 27 c and 27 d can be formed simultaneously because the side wall insulating films 33 a, 33 b are formed on the side surfaces of the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, respectively, with the result that it is possible to save the manufacturing cost.

[0113] Further, it is possible to form the contacts 35 a, 35 b, 35 c in a self-aligned fashion with the side wall insulating films 33 a, 33 b because the side wall insulating films 33 a, 33 b are formed on the side surfaces of the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, respectively, with the result that it is possible to diminish the cell size.

FIFTH EMBODIMENT

[0114] A fifth embodiment is directed to an example of a ferroelectric capacitor circuit of a COP (Capacitor On Plug) structure.

[0115]FIGS. 30 and 31 are a plan view and a cross sectional view, respectively, collectively showing a semiconductor memory device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The manufacturing process of the semiconductor memory device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 30 and 31. Incidentally, that construction alone of the fifth embodiment which differs from the first embodiment described previously is described in the following.

[0116] As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, the fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the manner in which the lower electrode 21 of the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b is connected to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 a. In the first embodiment of the present invention described previously, the lower electrode 21 of the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b is connected to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 a with the contact 27 b, the metal wiring 28 and the contact 27 f interposed therebetween. In the fifth embodiment, however, the lower electrode 21 of the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b is connected to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 a with the contact 38 a positioned right below the lower electrode 21 interposed therebetween so as to form a ferroelectric capacitor circuit portion of a COP structure. In this case, the contact 28 a is formed of a material containing one of, for example, Pt, Ir, IrO₂, Ru, RuO₂ and SRO.

[0117] Likewise, the lower electrode of the ferroelectric capacitors 24 c, 24 d is connected to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 a with the contact 38 b interposed therebetween so as to form a COP structure.

[0118] Also, the upper electrode 23 of the ferroelectric capacitor 24 b is connected to the upper electrode 23 of the ferroelectric capacitor 24 c with the contacts 27 c, 27 f and the metal wiring 28 c interposed therebetween. The metal wiring 28 c is connected to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 b with the contact 27 d interposed therebetween, and the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 b is connected to the source/drain diffusion layers 14 shared by the transistors 15 b, 15 e with the contact 18 b interposed therebetween.

[0119] FIGS. 32 to 34 are cross sectional views collectively showing a manufacturing process of a semiconductor memory device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The manufacturing process of the semiconductor memory device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 32 to 34. Incidentally, that process of the fifth embodiment which differs from the first embodiment will be described mainly in the following.

[0120] In the first step, the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 c, 19 d are formed on the interlayer insulating film 16 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 referred to previously in conjunction with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0121] In the next step, an interlayer insulating film 20 is formed on the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 c, 19 d and the interlayer insulating film 16, as shown in FIG., 32. Then, the interlayer insulating film 20 is selectively removed so as to form contact holes 36 a, 36 b, and 36 c.

[0122] Further, a metal film 37 is formed to fill the contact holes 36 a, 36 b, 36 c and to cover the interlayer insulating film 20, as shown in FIG. 33. The metal film thus formed is planarized until the upper surface of the interlayer insulating film 20 is exposed to the outside so as to form contacts 38 a, 38 b and 38 c to fill the contact holes 36 a, 36 b and 36 c, respectively, as shown in FIG. 34. The subsequent steps are equal to those in the first embodiment, thereby forming a ferroelectric capacitor.

[0123] According to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effects similar to those described previously in conjunction with the first embodiment. Also, additional effects can be obtained as described in the following.

[0124] Specifically, in the conventional COP type FeRAM, a lower plug that tends to be oxidized easily is arranged right under the lower electrode of the ferroelectric capacitor. Therefore, it is necessary for the material of the lower electrode not to lose the electrical conductivity even under an oxidizing atmosphere of a high temperature and to perform the function of an oxygen barrier so as to prevent the lower plug from being oxidized. As a result, the construction of the lower electrode is rendered complex so as to make it difficult to optimize the construction of the ferroelectric capacitor and to process the material of the lower electrode material. In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, however, the contacts 38 a, 38 b positioned below the lower electrode 21 are formed of a material that does not lose the electrical conductivity under an oxidizing atmosphere of a high temperature so as to avoid the above-noted problems inherent in the prior art.

[0125] It should also be noted that, since a COP structure is employed in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to shorten the connecting member between the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, 24 d and the transistors 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, 15 d so as to miniaturize the capacitor circuit portion.

SIXTH EMBODIMENT

[0126] A sixth embodiment of the present invention is directed to a modification of the fifth embodiment described above and covers an example in which the contact for connecting the upper electrode of the ferroelectric capacitor to the conductive oxygen barrier film is of two-stage structure so as to diminish the aspect ratio of the contact.

[0127]FIGS. 35 and 36 are a plan view and a cross sectional view, respectively, of a semiconductor memory device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The construction of the semiconductor memory device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Incidentally, that portion alone of the sixth embodiment which differs from the fifth embodiment will be described in the following.

[0128] As shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, the sixth embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment in that the contact 27 d is not directly connected to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 b, but is connected to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 b with the contact 27 d. interposed therebetween. Since the contact 38 d is formed simultaneously with formation of the contacts 38 a and 38 b, the contact 38 d is formed of the material equal to that used for forming the contacts 38 a, 38 b. Naturally, the contact 38 d is formed of a material that does not lose the electrical conductivity even under an oxidizing atmosphere like the contacts 38 a, 38 b. For example, the contact 38 d is formed of a material containing one of Pt, Ir, IrO₂, Ru, RuO₂ and SRO.

[0129] FIGS. 37 to 39 are cross sectional views collectively showing a manufacturing process of the semiconductor memory device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The method of manufacturing the semiconductor memory device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 37 to 39. Incidentally, those steps of the sixth embodiment which differ from the steps for the first embodiment will mainly be described in the following.

[0130] In the first step, conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 c, 19 d are formed on the interlayer insulating film 16 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 referred to previously in conjunction with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0131] In the next step, an interlayer insulating film 20 is formed to cover the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 c, 19 d and the interlayer insulating film 16, as shown in FIG. 37. Then, the interlayer insulating film 20 is selectively removed so as to form contact holes 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36 d. Further, a metal film 37 is formed to fill the contact holes 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36 d and to cover the interlayer insulating film 20, as shown in FIG. 38. Still further, the metal film 37 is planarized until the upper surface of the interlayer insulating film 20 is exposed to the outside, thereby filling the contact holes 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 37 d with contacts 38 a, 38 b, 38 c, 38 d, respectively, as shown in FIG. 39. The subsequent steps are equal to those in the first embodiment of the present invention, thereby forming a ferroelectric capacitor.

[0132] According to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effects similar to those described previously in conjunction with the fifth embodiment. Also, additional effects can be obtained as described in the following.

[0133] Specifically, in the construction employed in the fifth embodiment, the contact 27 d serving to electrically connect the ferroelectric capacitor 24 b to the transistor 15 b has a large aspect ratio. As a result, the contact material tends to fail to be buried satisfactorily in the contact hole, leading to decrease of the yield. In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, however, the contact 27 d is electrically connected to the contact 38 d formed on the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 b. As a result, it is possible to diminish the aspect ratio of the contact 27 d. It follows that it is possible to suppress the defective situation in burying the contact material so as to avoid the decrease of the yield.

SEVENTH EMBODIMENT

[0134] A seventh embodiment is directed to a modification of the fifth embodiment and covers an example in which the lower electrode of the ferroelectric capacitor is connected to the conductive oxygen barrier film via a local wiring in place of a contact.

[0135]FIGS. 40 and 41 are a plan view and a cross sectional view, respectively, showing a semiconductor memory device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The construction of the semiconductor memory device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Incidentally, that portion alone of the seventh embodiment which differs from the fifth embodiment will be described in the following.

[0136] As shown in FIGS. 40 and 41, the seventh embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment in that, in the seventh embodiment, local wirings 43 a, 43 b are used in place of the contacts 38 a, 38 b. The local wirings 43 a, 43 b are formed of a material that does not lose the electrical conductivity even under an oxidizing atmosphere like the contacts 38 a, 38 b. To be more specific, each of the local wirings 43 a, 43 b is formed of a material containing one of Pt, Ir, IrO₂, Ru, RuO₂ and SRO.

[0137] It should also be noted that the local wirings 43 a, 43 b are patterned simultaneously with the patterning step of the lower electrode 21, with the result that each of the local wirings 43 a, 43 b is equal to the lower electrode 21 in the planar shape. Also, one side surface of the local wiring 43 a coincides with one side surface of the lower electrode 21 of the capacitor 24 a, and the other side surface of the local wiring 43 a coincides with one side surface of the lower electrode 21 of the capacitor 24 b. Likewise, one side surface of the local wiring 43 b coincides with.one side surface of the lower electrode 21 of the capacitor 24 c, and the other side surface of the local wiring 43 b coincides with one side surface of the lower electrode 21 of the capacitor 24 d. Further, the central portion of the local wiring 43 a is recessed, compared with the both end portions, and is brought into contact with the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 a. Likewise, the central portion of the local wiring 43 b is recessed, compared with the both end portions, and is brought into contact with the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 b.

[0138] FIGS. 42 to 44 are cross sectional views collectively showing a manufacturing process of the semiconductor memory device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The manufacturing process of the semiconductor memory device according to the seventh embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 42 to 44. Incidentally, that portion of the seventh embodiment which differs from the first embodiment will be described mainly in the following.

[0139] In the first step, the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 c, 19 d are formed on the interlayer insulating film 16 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 referred to previously in conjunction with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0140] In the next step, an interlayer insulating film 20 is formed to cover the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 c, 19 d and the interlayer insulating film 16, as shown in FIG. 42. Then, the interlayer insulating film 20 is selectively removed so as to form trenches 40 a, 40 b, followed by forming a metal film 41 by, for example, a sputtering method or a coating method within the trenches 40 a, 40 b and on the interlayer insulating film 20, as shown in FIG. 43. Further, insulating films 42 a and 42 b are formed within the trenches 40 a and 40 b, respectively. Each of these insulating films 42 a, 42 b is formed by using, for example, P-TEOS, O₃-TEOS or SOG.

[0141] Then, a lower electrode 21, a ferroelectric film 22 and an upper electrode 23 are formed successively on the surface of each of the metal film 41 and the insulating films 42 a and 42 b, as shown in FIG. 44. Further, the metal film 41 is patterned together with the patterning of the lower electrode 21 by means of a RIE (Reactive Ion Etching) method so as to form local wirings 43 a and 43 b.

[0142] According to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effects similar to those obtained by the fifth embodiment of the present invention described previously. In addition, the steps of burying a conductive material and planarizing the buried material layer, which are required for forming the contacts 38 a, 38 b, are not required for forming the local wirings 43 a, 43 b. In other words, the local wirings 43 a, 43 b can be formed easily by the sputtering method and the RIE method. It follows that the seventh embodiment permits suppressing the process cost, compared with the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

EIGHTH EMBODIMENT

[0143] An eighth embodiment of the present invention is directed to a modification of the fifth embodiment described previously and covers an example in which an insulating oxygen barrier film is formed together with the conductive oxygen barrier film.

[0144]FIGS. 45 and 46 are a plan view and a cross sectional view, respectively, showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. The construction of the semiconductor memory device according to the eighth embodiment will now be described. Incidentally, that portion alone of the eighth embodiment which differs from the fifth embodiment will be described in the following.

[0145] As shown in FIGS. 45 and 46, the eighth embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment in that, in the eighth embodiment, an insulating oxygen barrier film 30 is deposited on the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, and 19 c. The insulating oxygen barrier film 30, which is formed of a material containing one of, for example, Al₂O₃, SiN, SiON, TiO₂ and PZT, may be either a single layer structure or a laminate structure.

[0146] According to the eighth embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effects similar to those obtained by the fifth embodiment. In addition, since the insulating oxygen barrier film 30 is formed to cover the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 c in the eighth embodiment, it is possible to protect sufficiently the contacts 18 a, 18 b, and 18 f, which tend to be oxidized easily, from the high temperature annealing treatment.

NINTH EMBODIMENT

[0147] A ninth embodiment is directed to a modification of the eighth embodiment, and covers an example in which the conductive oxygen barrier film is of a damascene structure.

[0148]FIGS. 47 and 48 are a plan view and a cross sectional view, respectively, showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. The construction of the semiconductor memory device according to the ninth embodiment will now be described. Incidentally, that portion alone of the ninth embodiment which differs from the eighth embodiment will be described in the following.

[0149] As shown in FIGS. 47 and 48, the ninth embodiment differs from the eighth embodiment in that, in the ninth embodiment, the insulating oxygen barrier film 30 has a flat surface free from an irregularity. It should be noted in this connection that, since the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 d are buried in an insulating film, the upper surfaces of the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 d are rendered flush with the upper surface of the surrounding insulating film, with the result that the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 d are allowed to have a so-called “damascene structure”. It follows that the insulating oxygen barrier film 30 is rendered to have a flat surface, as pointed out above.

[0150] According to the ninth embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effects similar to those obtained in the eighth embodiment. In addition, by forming the insulating oxygen barrier film 30 on the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 d of the damascene structure, it is possible to suppress the reduction in the oxygen barrier effect caused by the step coverage of the insulating oxygen barrier film 30.

[0151] Incidentally, it is possible to form the insulating oxygen barrier films 30 in contact with both the upper surfaces and the lower surfaces of the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b and 19 d.

TENTH EMBODIMENT

[0152] A tenth embodiment of the present invention is directed to a modification of the eighth embodiment described previously and covers an example in which a side wall insulating film is formed on the side surface of a ferroelectric capacitor so as to permit the ferroelectric capacitor to be electrically connected to the conductive oxygen barrier film via a single contact.

[0153]FIGS. 49 and 50 are a plan view and a cross sectional view, respectively, showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention. The construction .of the semiconductor memory device according to the tenth embodiment will now be described. Incidentally, that portion alone of the tenth embodiment which differs from the eighth embodiment will be described in the following.

[0154] As shown in FIGS. 49 and 50, the tenth embodiment differs from the eighth embodiment in that, in the tenth embodiment, side wall insulating films 33 a, 33 b, 33 c, 33 d are formed on the side walls of the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, 24 d. It suffices for each of the side wall insulating films 33 a, 33 b, 33 c, 33 d to be formed of an insulating material having a selectivity ratio of the processing relative to an oxide film. For example, each of the side wall insulating films 33 a, 33 b, 33 c, 33 d is formed of a material containing one of Al₂O₃, SiN, SiON, PZT and TiO₂. It should be noted that one of the side wall insulating film 33 b and one of the side wall insulating film 33 c facing the side wall insulating film 33 b collectively define the width of the opening of the contact 35 c and serve to insulate the contact 35 c from the lower electrode 21.

[0155] The tenth embodiment also differs from the eighth embodiment in that, in the tenth embodiment, the single contact 35 c is substituted for the contacts 27 c, 27 d and 27 f shown in FIG. 46 in conjunction with eighth embodiment of the present invention. What should be noted is that the contacts 35 a, 35 c and 35 e are formed in self-alignment with side wall insulating films 33 a, 33 b.

[0156] According to the tenth embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effects similar to those obtained in the eighth embodiment described previously.

[0157] In addition, since the side wall insulating films 33 a, 33 b, 33 c, 33 d are formed on the side surfaces of ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, 24 d, it is possible to form the contacts 35 a, 35 c, 35 e in self-alignment. As a result, the deviation in alignment of the contact layer by lithography can be neglected so as to miniaturize the ferroelectric capacitor circuit portion.

[0158] Also, since the side wall insulating films 33 a, 33 b, 33 c, 33 d are formed on the side surfaces of ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, 24 d, it is possible to permit the upper electrode 23 to be connected to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 a via a single contact 35 c so as to achieve a cost saving.

[0159] Further, since the side wall insulating films 33 a, 33 b, 33 c, 33 d are formed on the side surfaces of ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, 24 d, it is possible to form the contacts 35 a, 35 c, 35 e in self-alignment with the side wall insulating films 33 a, 33 b, 33 c, 33 d so as to diminish the cell size.

ELEVENTH EMBODIMENT

[0160] An eleventh embodiment of the present invention is directed a modification of the fifth embodiment described previously and covers an example in which the lower electrode shared by the two ferroelectric capacitors in the fifth embodiment is divided such that the divided sections of the lower electrodes are included in the individual ferroelectric capacitors.

[0161]FIGS. 51 and 52 are a plan view and a cross sectional view, respectively, showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention. The construction of the semiconductor memory device according to the eleventh embodiment will now be described. Incidentally, that portion alone of the eleventh embodiment which differs from the fifth embodiment will be described in the following.

[0162] As shown in FIGS. 51 and 52, the eleventh embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment in that, in the eleventh embodiment, the lower electrode 21 is divided such that the divided sections of the lower electrode 21 are included in the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, 24 c and 24 d, respectively. It should be noted that the lower electrode 21 is patterned simultaneously with the patterning of the upper electrode 23 and the ferroelectric film 22. It follows that the lower electrode 21, the ferroelectric film 22 and the upper electrode 23 are equal to each other in the planar shape.

[0163] The eleventh embodiment also differs from the fifth embodiment in that, in the eleventh embodiment, the two independent ferroelectric capacitors 24 a and 24 b are electrically connected to each other via the contact 38 a, and the two independent ferroelectric capacitors 24 c and 24 d are electrically connected to each other via the contact 38 c. Each of the contacts 38 a and 38 c is formed of a material that does not lose its electrical conductivity even under an oxidizing atmosphere. For example, each of the contacts 38 a and 38 c is formed of a material containing one of Pt, Ir, IrO₂, Ru, RuO₂ and SRO.

[0164] FIGS. 53 to 55 are cross sectional views collectively showing a manufacturing process of the semiconductor memory device according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention. The manufacturing process of the semiconductor memory device according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Incidentally, those steps of the eleventh embodiment which differ from the steps in the first embodiment will be mainly described in the following.

[0165] In the first step, the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 c, 19 d are formed on the interlayer insulating film 16 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 referred to previously in conjunction with the first embodiment.

[0166] In the next step, an interlayer insulating film 20 is formed to cover the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 c, 19 d and the interlayer insulating film 16, followed by selectively removing the interlayer insulating film 20 so as to form trenches 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, as shown in FIG. 53. Then, a metal film is buried in each of these trenches 36 a, 36 b, 36 c so as to form contacts 38 a, 38 b, 38 c, as shown in FIG. 54.

[0167] In the next step, a lower electrode 41, a ferroelectric film 42 and an upper electrode 43 are formed successively on each of the contacts 38 a, 38 b, 38 c and the interlayer insulating film 20, as shown in FIG. 55, followed by collectively patterning the lower electrode 41, the ferroelectric film 42 and the upper electrode 43 by means of a RIE treatment so as to form ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, 24 c and 24 d.

[0168] According to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effects similar to those obtained by the fifth embodiment described previously. Further, an additional effect can also be obtained as follows.

[0169] Specifically, in the conventional structure, formed are two ferroelectric capacitors including the lower electrodes 21 electrically connected to each other. As a result, it is necessary to process the upper electrode 23 and the lower electrode 21 separately. It follows that it is necessary to carry out the lithography step twice, i.e., to carry out the lithography step in the processing step of each of the upper electrode and the lower electrode. In the eleventh embodiment of the present invention, however, the two capacitors are electrically connected to each other via a contact, with the result that it is possible to process collectively the upper electrode 23, the ferroelectric film 22 and the lower electrode 21. It follows that it is possible to omit one of the lithography steps required for forming the capacitor. Naturally, the manufacturing process is simplified so as to achieve a cost saving.

[0170] It should also be noted that, in the eleventh embodiment of the present invention, the lower electrode 21 of each of the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, 24 d is equal in the planar shape to the upper electrode 23 and the ferroelectric film 22. As a result, it is possible to decrease the area occupied by the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, 24 d, compared with the case where the lower electrode 21 is shared by two ferroelectric capacitors. It follows that it is possible to miniaturize the cell portion.

TWELFTH EMBODIMENT

[0171] A twelfth embodiment of the present invention is directed to a modification of the eleventh embodiment described above and covers an example in which the contact serving to electrically connect the upper electrode of the ferroelectric capacitor to the conductive oxygen barrier film is of two-stage structure so as to diminish the aspect ratio of the contact.

[0172]FIGS. 56 and 57 are a plan view and a cross sectional view, respectively, showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention. The construction of the semiconductor memory device according to the twelfth embodiment will now be described. Incidentally, that construction alone of the twelfth embodiment which differs from the eleventh embodiment will be described in the following.

[0173] As shown in FIGS. 56 and 57, the twelfth embodiment differs from the eleventh embodiment in that, in the twelfth embodiment, the contact 27 d is not connected directly to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 b but is connected to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 b with the contact 38 d interposed therebetween. Since the contact 38 d is formed simultaneously with formation of the contacts 38 a, 38 c, the contact 38 d is formed of the material equal to that used for forming the contacts 38 a, 38 c. Naturally, the contact 38 d is formed of a material that does not lose its electrical conductivity even under an oxidizing atmosphere like the contacts 38 a, 38 c. For example, the contact 38 d is formed of a material containing one of Pt, Ir, IrO₂, Ru, RuO₂ and SRO.

[0174] According to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effects similar to those obtained in the eleventh embodiment. In addition, since it is possible to make smaller the aspect ratio of the contact 27 d in the twelfth embodiment, compared with the eleventh embodiment, it is possible to suppress the defective situation in the buried state of the contact material.

THIRTEENTH EMBODIMENT

[0175] A thirteenth embodiment of the present invention is directed to a modification of the eleventh embodiment, and covers an example in which the lower electrode of the ferroelectric capacitor is connected to the conductive oxygen barrier film via a local wiring in place of the contact.

[0176]FIGS. 58 and 59 are a plan view and a cross sectional view, respectively, showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention. The construction of the semiconductor memory device according to the thirteenth embodiment will now be described. Incidentally, that portion alone of the thirteenth embodiment which differs from the eleventh embodiment will be described in the following.

[0177] As shown in FIGS. 58 and 59, the thirteenth embodiment differs from the eleventh embodiment in that, in the thirteenth embodiment, the local wirings 43 a, 43 b are formed in place of the contacts 38 a, 38 c. Each of the local wirings 43 a, 43 b is formed of a material that does not lose its electrical conductivity even under an oxidizing atmosphere. For example, each of the local wirings 43 a, 43 b is formed of a material containing one of Pr, Ir, IrO₂, Ru, RuO₂ and SRO.

[0178] One side surface of the local wiring 43 a coincides with one side surface of the lower electrode 21 of the capacitor 24 a, and the other side surface of the local wiring 43 a coincides with one side surface of the lower electrode 21 of the capacitor 24 b. Likewise, one side surface of the local wiring 43 b coincides with one side surface of the lower electrode 21 of the capacitor 24 c, and the other side surface of the local wiring 43 b coincides with one side surface of the lower electrode 21 of the capacitor 24 d. Further, the central portion of the local wiring 43 a is recessed, compared with the both end portions, and is brought into contact with the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 a. Likewise, the central portion of the local wiring 43 b is recessed, compared with the both end portions, and is brought into contact with the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 d.

[0179] According to the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effects similar to those obtained in the eleventh embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the burying process of a material and the planarizing process, which are required for forming the contacts 38 a, 38 b, are not required for forming the local wirings 43 a, 43b. In other words, the local wirings 43 a, 43 b can be formed easily by a sputtering process and a RIE process. It follows that it is possible to suppress the process cost, compared with the eleventh embodiment of the present invention described previously.

FOURTEENTH EMBODIMENT

[0180] A fourteenth embodiment of the present invention is directed to a modification of the eleventh embodiment described previously and covers an example in which an insulating oxygen barrier film is formed together with the conductive oxygen barrier film.

[0181]FIGS. 60 and 61 are a plan view and a cross sectional view, respectively, showing the construction of a semiconductor memory device according to the fourteenth embodiment of the present invention. The construction of the semiconductor memory device according to the fourteenth embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Incidentally, that portion alone of the fourteenth embodiment which differs from the eleventh embodiment will be described in the following.

[0182] As shown in FIGS. 60 and 61, the fourteenth embodiment differs from the eleventh embodiment in that, in the fourteenth embodiment, an insulating oxygen barrier film 30 is deposited to cover the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 d. The insulating oxygen barrier film 30, which is formed of, for example, a material containing one of Al₂O₃, SiN, SiON, TiO₂ and PZT, may be either a single layer structure or a laminate structure.

[0183] According to the fourteenth embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effects similar to those obtained in the eleventh embodiment of the present invention. In addition, it is possible to protect sufficiently the contacts 18 a, 18 b, 18 f, which tend to be oxidized easily, from the high temperature annealing treatment because the insulating oxygen barrier film 30 is formed to cover the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 d.

FIFTEENTH EMBODIMENT

[0184] A fifteenth embodiment of the present invention is directed to a modification of the eleventh embodiment and covers an example in which the conductive oxygen barrier film is of a damascene structure.

[0185]FIGS. 62 and 63 are a plan view and a cross sectional view, respectively, showing the construction of the semiconductor memory device according to the fifteenth embodiment of the present invention. The construction of the semiconductor memory device according to the fifteenth embodiment will now be described. Incidentally, that portion alone of the fifteenth embodiment which differs from the eleventh embodiment will be described in the following.

[0186] As shown in FIGS. 62 and 63, the fifteenth embodiment differs from the eleventh embodiment in that, in the fifteenth embodiment, the insulating oxygen barrier film 30 has a flat surface free from irregularities. It should be noted in this connection that, since the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 d are buried in an insulating film, the upper surfaces of the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 d are rendered flush with the upper surface of the surrounding insulating film, with the result that the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 d are allowed to have a so-called “damascene structure”. It follows that the insulating oxygen barrier film 30 is rendered to have a flat surface, as pointed out above.

[0187] According to the fifteenth embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effects similar to those obtained in the eleventh embodiment. In addition, by forming the insulating oxygen barrier film 30 on the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 d of the damascene structure, it is possible to suppress the reduction in the oxygen barrier effect caused by the step coverage of the insulating oxygen barrier film 30.

[0188] Incidentally, it is possible to form the insulating oxygen barrier film 30 above or below the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 d.

SIXTEENTH EMBODIMENT

[0189] A sixteenth embodiment of the present invention is directed to a modification of the eleventh embodiment and covers an example in which a side wall insulating film is formed on the side surface of the ferroelectric capacitor so as to permit the ferroelectric capacitor and the conductive oxygen barrier film to be connected to each other via a single contact.

[0190]FIGS. 64 and 65 are a plan view and a cross sectional view collectively directed to a semiconductor memory device according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention. The construction of the semiconductor memory device according to the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Incidentally, that portion alone of the sixteenth embodiment which differs from the eleventh embodiment will be described in the following.

[0191] As shown in FIGS. 64 and 65, the sixteenth embodiment differs from the eleventh embodiment in that, in the sixteenth embodiment, side wall insulating films 33 3, 33 f, 33 g are formed on the side surfaces of the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, respectively. It suffices for each of these side wall insulating films 33 3, 33 f, 33 g to be formed of an insulating material having a processing selectivity ratio relative to an oxide film. For example, each of the side wall insulating films 33 3, 33 f, 33 g is formed of a material containing one of Al₂O₃, SiN, SiON, PZT and TiO₂. It should be noted that one of the side wall insulating film 33 e and one of the side wall insulating film 33 f collectively define the width of the opening for forming the contact 35 f, and the other side wall insulating film 33 f and one of the side wall insulating films 33 g noted above collectively define the width of the opening for forming the contact 35 g.

[0192] The sixteenth embodiment also differs from the eleventh embodiment in that, in the sixteenth embodiment, the contact 35f permits the upper electrode 23 of the ferroelectric capacitor 24 a to be electrically connected to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 b, and the contact 35 g permits the upper electrode 23 of the ferroelectric capacitor 24 b to be electrically connected to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 d. In other words, the upper electrode 23 of an optional ferroelectric capacitor is electrically connected to the lower electrode 21 of the adjacent ferroelectric capacitor. In this case, the contact 35 f is formed in self-alignment with the side wall insulating films 33 3, 33 f, and the contact 35 g is formed in self-alignment with the side wall insulating films 33 f, 33 g.

[0193] The sixteenth embodiment of the present invention permits producing the effects similar to those obtained in the eleventh embodiment.

[0194] In addition, since the side wall insulating films 33 3, 33 f, 33 g are formed on the side surfaces of the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, respectively, it is possible to form the contacts 35 f, 35 g, 35 h in self-alignment. As a result, the deviation in alignment of the contact layer by lithography can be neglected so as to miniaturize the ferroelectric capacitor circuit portion.

[0195] Also, since the side wall insulating films 33 e, 33 f, 33 g are formed on the side surfaces of ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, it is possible to permit the upper electrode 23 to be connected to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 b via a single contact 35 f. It is also possible to permit the upper electrode 23 to be connected to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 d via a single contact 35 g. It follows that it is possible to achieve a cost saving.

[0196] Further, since the side wall insulating films 33 e, 33 f, 33 g are formed on the side surfaces of ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, it is possible to form the contacts 35 f, 35 g, 35 h in self-alignment with the side wall insulating films 33 3, 33 f, 33 g so as to diminish the cell size.

SEVENTEENTH EMBODIMENT

[0197] A seventeenth embodiment of the present invention is directed to a modification of the eighth embodiment described previously, and covers an example in which the lower electrode of the ferroelectric capacitor and the conductive oxygen barrier film positioned below the lower electrode noted above are patterned simultaneously.

[0198]FIGS. 66 and 67 are a plan view and a cross sectional view collectively directed to a semiconductor memory device according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention. The construction of the semiconductor memory device according to the seventeenth embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Incidentally, that portion alone of the seventeenth embodiment which differs from the eighth embodiment will be described in the following.

[0199] As shown in FIGS. 66 and 67, the seventeenth embodiment differs from the eighth embodiment in that, in the seventeenth embodiment, the lower electrode of the ferroelectric capacitor and the conductive oxygen barrier film positioned below the lower electrode noted above are substantially equal to each other in the planar shape because the lower electrode and the conductive oxygen barrier film noted above are patterned simultaneously. In other words, the lower electrode for the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b is substantially equal to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 a in the planar shape, and the lower electrode 21 for the ferroelectric capacitors 24 c, 24 d is substantially equal to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 b in the planar shape.

[0200] It should also be noted that the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b are required to be large enough to cover at least the upper surfaces of the contacts 18 a, 18 f, respectively, to permit the two ferroelectric capacitors to be arranged above these conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, respectively. On the other hand, it suffices for the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 d to be sized large enough to cover at least the upper surface of the contact 18 b. However, it is desirable for the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 d to be larger than the upper surface of the contact 18 b.

[0201] Also, a wiring layer 21′, which is a part of the lower electrode 21 for the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, 24 d, is formed above the contact 18 b. The wiring layer 21′ is substantially equal to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 d in the planar shape. Also, the wiring layer 21′ is electrically connected to the conductive oxygen barrier film 19 d with the contact 38 d interposed therebetween.

[0202] The insulating oxygen barrier film 30 is formed to cover not only the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 d but also the ferroelectric capacitors 24 a, 24 b, 24 c and 24 d.

[0203] FIGS. 68 to 75 are cross sectional views collectively showing a manufacturing process of a semiconductor memory device according to the seventeenth embodiment of the present invention. The manufacturing method of the semiconductor memory device according to the seventeenth embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Incidentally, that portion of the seventeenth embodiment which differs from the first embodiment will be described mainly in the following.

[0204] In the first step, contacts 18 a, 18 b, 18 c, 18 d, 18 f are formed in the interlayer insulating film 16 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 referred to previously in conjunction with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0205] In the next step, a material layer 19 of a conductive oxygen barrier film is formed on the interlayer insulating film 16 and the contacts 18 a, 18 b, 18 c, 18 d, 18 f, followed by forming an interlayer insulating film 20 on the material layer 19, as shown in FIG. 68. Then, the interlayer insulating film 20 is selectively removed so as to form contact holes 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36 d, followed by filling each of the contact holes 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36 d with a metallic material so as to form contacts 38 a, 38 b, 38 c, 38 d, as shown in FIG. 69.

[0206] In the next step, a lower electrode 21, a ferroelectric film 22, and an upper electrode 23 are successively deposited on the contacts 38 a, 38 b, 38 c, 38 d and on the interlayer insulating film 20, as shown in FIG. 70, followed by patterning the ferroelectric film 22 and the upper electrode 23. Then, an interlayer insulating film 25 a is formed on the upper electrode 23 and the lower electrode 21, followed by patterning the interlayer insulating film 25 a.

[0207] In the next step, the lower electrode 21 is patterned with the patterned interlayer insulating film 25 a used as a mask, as shown in FIG. 71, followed by patterning the interlayer insulating film 20 with the patterned interlayer insulating film 25 a used as a mask, as shown in FIG. 72. Further, the material layer 19 is patterned with the patterned interlayer insulating film 25 a used as a mask so as to form the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 c and 19 d, as shown in FIG. 73.

[0208] In the next step, an insulating barrier film 30 is formed to cover the interlayer insulating films 25 a, 16 as shown in FIG. 74. Further, an interlayer insulating film 25 b is formed on the insulating oxygen barrier film 30, as shown in FIG. 75, followed by selectively removing the interlayer insulating films 25 a, 25 b and the insulating oxygen barrier film 30 so as to form contact holes and subsequently filling each of these contact holes with a metallic material so as to form contacts 27 a, 27 c, 27 d, 27 e, 37 f, 27 d.

[0209] It should be noted that the contact 27 a is connected to the upper electrode 23 of the ferroelectric capacitor 24 a. The contact 27 c is connected to the upper electrode 23 of the ferroelectric capacitor 24 b. The contact 27 d is connected to the wiring layer 21′. The contact 27 f is connected to the upper electrode 23 of the ferroelectric capacitor 24 c. The contact 27 g is connected to the upper electrode 23 of the ferroelectric capacitor 24 d. Further, the contact 27 e is connected to the wiring for the peripheral circuit portion (conductive oxygen barrier film 19 c).

[0210] Then, a wiring material layer is formed to cover the contacts 27 a, 27 c, 27 d, 27 e, 27 f, 27 g and the interlayer insulating film 25, followed by patterning the wiring material layer so as to form wirings 28 a, 28 c, 28 d and 28 e.

[0211] It should be noted that the wiring 28 a is connected to the contact 27 a, the wiring 28 c is connected to the contacts 27 c, 27 d, 27 f, the wiring 29 e is connected to the contact 27 g, and the wiring 28 d is connected to the contact 27 e.

[0212] According to the seventeenth embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effects similar to those obtained in the eighth embodiment. It should also be noted that, in the seventeenth embodiment, the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 d and the lower electrode 21 are patterned simultaneously. It follows that the patterning can be achieved easily, compared with the case where the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 d are patterned separately from the patterning step of the lower electrode 21.

[0213] It should also be noted that, in the seventeenth embodiment of the present invention, the contact 38d is formed on the conductive oxygen barrier film 19d. As a result, it is possible to make the aspect ratio of the contact 27 d smaller than that for the eighth embodiment. It follows that it is possible to suppress the defective situation in the buried state of the contact material.

[0214] Incidentally, it is possible to form the insulating oxygen barrier film 30 below the conductive oxygen barrier films 19 a, 19 b, 19 d, as shown in FIG. 76.

[0215] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A semiconductor memory device comprising: a semiconductor substrate; a first transistor formed on the semiconductor substrate and including a first gate electrode and first and second diffusion layers; a first contact connected to the first diffusion layer; a first conductive oxygen barrier film electri- cally connected to the first contact and covering at least the upper surface of the first contact; a first ferroelectric capacitor including a first electrode, a second electrode and a first ferroelectric film interposed between the first and second electrodes; and a first connecting member connected to the first electrode and to the first conductive oxygen barrier film.
 2. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive oxygen barrier film is formed of a material containing one of Ir, IrO₂, Ru, and RuO₂.
 3. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting member includes: a first wiring formed above the first ferroelectric capacitor; a second contact connected to the first wiring and to the first electrode; and a third contact connected to the first wiring and to the first conductive oxygen barrier film.
 4. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, further comprising a second ferroelectric capacitor including a third electrode, the second electrode and a second ferroelectric film interposed between the third electrode and the second electrode, wherein the second electrode is shared by the first and second ferroelectric capacitors.
 5. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first insulating film formed on the semiconductor substrate and on the first transistor and having the first conductive oxygen barrier film formed on a part of the upper surface of the first insulating film; and a first insulating oxygen barrier film formed on the first insulating film and on the first conductive oxygen barrier film.
 6. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first insulating film formed on the semiconductor substrate and on the first transistor; and a first insulating oxygen barrier film formed on the first insulating film and having the first conductive oxygen barrier film formed on a part of the upper surface of the first insulating oxygen barrier film.
 7. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first insulating film formed on the semiconductor substrate and on the first transistor and having an upper surface equal to the upper surface of the first conductive oxygen barrier film; and a first insulating oxygen barrier film formed on the first insulating film and on the first conductive oxygen barrier film.
 8. The semiconductor memory device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the first insulating oxygen barrier film is formed of a material containing one of Al₂O₃, SiN, SiON, TiO₂ and PZT.
 9. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, further comprising a side wall insulating film formed on each of the side surfaces of the first ferroelectric capacitor, wherein the first connecting member is provided by a contact formed in self-alignment with the side wall insulating film.
 10. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 5, wherein the side wall insulating film is formed of a material containing one of Al₂O₃, SiN, SiON, TiO₂ and PZT.
 11. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second contact connected to the second diffusion layer; a second conductive oxygen barrier film electrically connected to the second contact and covering at least the upper surface of the second contact; and a second connecting member connected to the second conductive oxygen barrier film and to the second electrode.
 12. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 11, wherein the second connecting member is formed of a material containing one of Pt, Ir, IrO₂, Ru, RuO₂, and SRO.
 13. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 11, wherein the first connecting member comprises: a first wiring; a second contact connected to the first wiring and to the first electrode; a third contact connected to the first wiring; and a fourth contact connected to the third contact and to the first conductive oxygen barrier film.
 14. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 13, wherein the fourth connecting member is formed of a material containing one of Pt, Ir, IrO₂, Ru, RuO₂, and SRO.
 15. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 13, wherein the fourth contact and the second connecting member are formed of the same material.
 16. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 11, wherein the second connecting member is provided by a contact or a wiring.
 17. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 16, wherein the wiring has edge portions and a central portion, the side surfaces of the edge portions of the wiring being coincident with the side surfaces of the edge portions of the second electrode, and the central portion of the wiring being recessed from the edge portions and being in contact with the second conductive oxygen barrier film.
 18. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 16, wherein the wiring is equal to the second electrode in the planar shape.
 19. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second contact connected to the second diffusion layer; a second conductive oxygen barrier film electrically connected to the second contact and covering at least the upper surface of the second contact; a second ferroelectric capacitor including a third electrode, a fourth electrode, and a second ferroelectric film interposed between the third and fourth electrodes; and a second connecting member electrically connected to the second conductive oxygen barrier film, and the second and fourth electrodes.
 20. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 19, wherein the first electrode, the second electrode and the first ferroelectric film are equal to each other in the planar shape, and the third electrode, the fourth electrode and the second ferroelectric film are equal to each other in the planar shape.
 21. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second transistor formed on the semiconductor substrate and including a second gate electrode, the second diffusion layer and a third diffusion layer; a second contact connected to the second diffusion layer; a second conductive oxygen barrier film electrically connected to the second contact and covering at least the upper surface of the second contact; a second ferroelectric capacitor including a third electrode, a fourth electrode, and a second ferroelectric film interposed between the third and fourth electrodes; a second connecting member connected to the third electrode and to the second conductive oxygen barrier film; a first side wall insulating film formed on each of the both side surfaces of the first ferroelectric capacitor; a second side wall insulating film formed on each of the both side surfaces of the second ferroelectric capacitor; and a third connecting member connected to the second electrode and to the second conductive oxygen barrier film, formed in self-alignment with the first and second side wall insulating films, and formed of a single contact.
 22. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second contact connected to the second diffusion layer; a second conductive oxygen barrier film electrically connected to the second contact, covering at least the upper surface of the second contact, and being equal to the second electrode in the planar shape; and a second connecting member connected to the second conductive oxygen barrier film and to the second electrode.
 23. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 22, wherein the first connecting member further comprises: a first wiring formed above the first ferroelectric capacitor; a third contact connected to the first wiring and to the first electrode; a third connecting member formed on the first conductive oxygen barrier film and formed of a material equal to the material of the second connecting member; a second wiring formed on the third connecting member, formed of a material equal to the material of the second electrode, and having a planar shape equal to the planar shape of the first conductive oxygen barrier film; and a fourth contact connected to the first wiring and to the second wiring.
 24. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, further comprising a second conductive oxygen barrier film formed in a peripheral circuit portion and used as a wiring.
 25. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of cells, the first and second diffusion layers of the first transistor being connected, respectively, to the first and second electrodes of the first ferroelectric capacitor in each cell, are connected in series.
 26. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device, comprising: forming on a semiconductor substrate a first transistor including a first gate electrode and first and second diffusion layers; forming a first contact connected to the first diffusion layer; forming on the first contact a first conductive oxygen barrier film covering at least the upper surface of the first contact; forming above the first conductive oxygen barrier film a first ferroelectric capacitor including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a first ferroelectric film interposed between the first and second electrodes; and forming a first connecting member connected to the first electrode and to the first conductive oxygen barrier film.
 27. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device according to claim 26, wherein the first connecting member includes: a second contact connected to the first electrode; a third contact connected to the first conductive oxygen barrier film; and a first wiring connected to the second contact and to the third contact.
 28. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device according to claim 26, wherein: a second ferroelectric capacitor including a third electrode, the second electrode, and a second ferroelectric film interposed between the third electrode and the second electrode is formed simultaneously with formation of the first ferroelectric capacitor; and the second electrode is shared by the first and second ferroelectric capacitors.
 29. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device according to claim 26, further comprising forming a first insulating oxygen barrier film on the first conductive oxygen barrier film after formation of the first conductive oxygen barrier film.
 30. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device according to claim 26, further comprising: forming, after formation of the first contact, a first insulating film including a first trench permitting the upper surface of the first contact to be exposed to the outside; forming a conductive film to fill the first trench and to cover the first insulating film; and planarizing the conductive film until the upper surface of the first insulating film is exposed to the outside to form the first conductive oxygen barrier film.
 31. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device according to claim 26, further comprising: forming, after formation of the first ferroelectric capacitor, side wall insulating films on both side surfaces of the first ferroelectric capacitor; and forming the first connecting member in self-alignment with the side wall insulating films.
 32. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device according to claim 26, further comprising: forming a second contact connected to the second diffusion layer simultaneously with formation of the first contact; forming on the second contact a second conductive oxygen barrier film covering at least the upper surface of the second contact simultaneously with formation of the first conductive oxygen barrier film; and forming a second connecting member connected to the second conductive oxygen barrier film and to the second electrode.
 33. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device according to claim 32, further comprising forming a third contact connected to the first connecting member and to the first conductive oxygen barrier film simultaneously with formation of the second connecting member.
 34. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device according to claim 32, formation of the second connecting member further comprises: forming, after formation of the first and second conductive oxygen barrier films, a first insulating film on the first and second conductive oxygen barrier films; selectively removing the first insulating film to expose the upper surface of the second conductive oxygen barrier film to the outside; forming a wiring material layer filling the first trench and covering the first insulating film; forming a second insulating film on the wiring material layer filling the first trench; forming an electrode material layer of the second electrode to cover the second insulating film and the wiring material layer; and patterning the wiring material layer and the electrode material layer simultaneously to form the second contact member and the second electrode.
 35. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device according to claim 26, further comprising: forming a second contact connected to the second diffusion layer simultaneously with formation of the first contact; forming on the second contact a second conductive oxygen barrier film covering at least the upper surface of the second contact simultaneously with formation of the first conductive oxygen barrier film; forming a second connecting member material layer connected to the second conductive oxygen barrier film and the second electrode; forming a first electrode material layer, a first ferroelectric film and a second electrode material layer in the order mentioned on the second connecting member material layer; and patterning simultaneously the first electrode material layer, the first ferroelectric film and the second electrode material layer to form the first ferroelectric capacitor and the second ferroelectric capacitor which are electrically connected to each other via the second connecting member.
 36. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device, comprising: forming on a semiconductor substrate a first transistor including a first gate electrode and first and second diffusion layers, and a second transistor including a second gate electrode, the second diffusion layer and a third diffusion layer; forming a first contact connected to the first diffusion layer and a second contact connected to the second diffusion layer; forming on the first contact a first conductive oxygen barrier film covering at least the upper surface of the first contact and on the second contact a second conductive oxygen barrier film covering at least the upper surface of the second contact; forming a first connecting member connected to the first conductive oxygen barrier film and a second connecting member connected to the second conductive oxygen barrier film; forming a first ferroelectric capacitor including a first electrode, a second electrode and a first ferroelectric film interposed between the first and second electrodes and connected to the first electrode and to the first connecting member, and a second ferroelectric capacitor including a third electrode, a fourth electrode and a second ferroelectric film interposed between the third and fourth electrodes and connected to the third electrode and to the second connecting member; forming first side wall insulating films on both side surfaces of the first ferroelectric capacitor, and second side wall insulating films on both side surfaces of the second ferroelectric capacitor; and forming a third connecting member formed of a single contact connected to the second electrode and to the second conductive oxygen barrier film in self-alignment with the first and second side wall insulating films.
 37. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device, comprising: forming on a semiconductor substrate a first transistor including a first gate electrode and first and second diffusion layers; forming a first contact connected to the first diffusion layer and a second contact connected to the second diffusion layer; forming a conductive oxygen barrier material layer to cover the first and second contacts; forming a first insulating film on the conductive oxygen barrier material layer; forming within the first insulating film third and fourth contacts positioned above the first and second contacts; forming successively a first electrode material layer, a ferroelectric material layer and a second electrode material layer on each of the first insulating film and the third and fourth contacts; patterning the ferroelectric material layer and the second electrode material layer; and patterning the first electrode material layer, the first insulating film and the conductive oxygen barrier material layer to form a first conductive oxygen barrier film connected to the first and third contacts, the second conductive oxygen barrier film connected to the second and fourth contacts, and a ferroelectric capacitor connected to the fourth contact.
 38. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device according to claim 37, further comprising forming on the third contact a wiring layer formed of the first electrode material in patterning the first electrode material layer.
 39. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device according to claim 26, further comprising forming a second conductive oxygen barrier film used as a wiring in the peripheral circuit portion simultaneously with formation of the first conductive oxygen barrier film. 